HARLINGEN, Texas - Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., says there is a project related to the South Padre Island 2nd Causeway that is just as important or even more so - a new east-west corridor linking SPI to Edinburg.
Treviño spoke about both projects when appearing at a State of the County Address hosted by the Greater Chamber of Harlingen.
“What's interesting about that (the 2nd Causeway) project - and it is a billion dollar project, by the way - is the other part of that project. And it does not get the attention that the Causeway is getting,” Treviño said.
“Obviously, having another access point to get to and from the island is going to be great. It is going to double or triple the size of the island. But what, in my mind, is just an important, if not more so, is the development of a new state highway from the 2nd Causeway all the way to Edinburg.”
Treviño continued: “When we were talking about the 2nd Causeway, with the (RGV) MPO and with all of Valley leadership, we were focused on the importance of the original impact that this particular project would have. That this new state highway will allow people from Hidalgo and Cameron to get to the island on a quicker basis. It will open northern Cameron County for development that right now is not available. It will open eastern and northern Hidalgo County for development. So to me, that is just as important or just as critical a piece as the 2nd Causeway, if not more so, because of what it means for the future.”
What was key, in the early days, was the decision of local leaders to commit funds to the 2nd Causeway project, Treviño explained.
“When I go speak to the other county judges or to the other mayors or to state or federal leaders, we tell them we're going to put skin in the game. And the best example of that is the 2nd Causeway,” Treviño said. “We already knew that the need for a 2nd Causeway was great and was necessary, so the idea began garnering more speed.
“I’m proud to say that a few years ago, the County, the RMA and the City of South Padre Island each committed $1 million to begin the initial development of the 2nd Causeway. And I’m proud to tell you that as a result of those efforts, and as a result of all of the commissioners that served before us, and those that are on this court now, that we were able to finally convince TxDOT to make the 2nd Causeway a reality.”
